Osaka - Kita and Minami; 2 points of distinction in western Japan's largest city Map of the Kinki region Osaka has a population of approximately 2.65 million and is the third largest city in Japan with only Tokyo and Yokohama sporting larger populations. Osaka is today the largest city in western Japan and has come a long way from the castle town used by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Many rivers run through and around the city and thus the city has been given the title of "a city of water." The presence of water notwithstanding however, the city today has 2 distinctive 'centers.' In the north, the Kita area around Umeda and to the south of Kita, running along the north-south Mido-suji Street, the Minami area around Namba are always filled with crowds. Kita plays host to many modern shops and various shopping-cum-entertainment complexes while Minami contains both fashionable stores and shops selling local Osakan goods and dishes all wrapped up in a lively, bustling atmosphere. When you talk about Osaka, you can't forget to talk about the food culture of Japan's 3rd largest city and supporting the well known European image that portrays Osaka as the kitchen of Japan is the local saying that people in Osaka will eat themselves out of house and home; the result of the city being host to a wealth of inexpensive restaurants.

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Kobe Luminarie - Around the former settlements of Kobe's foreign population, East Park, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture - December 4th (Thurs)-15th (Mon), 2008 This event was first held in 1995 with the specific purpose of offering consolation to those lost loved ones in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, and at the same time to act as a symbol of the reconstruction of the city. The 14th Kobe Luminarie adopts the theme of "Infinite Light" and once more welcomes its audience to a world of enchantment and illumination. http://www.kobe-luminarie.jp/ (Japanese version only)

Momiji-e in Kokoen - Himeji Castle, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture - November 15th (Sat)-30th (Sun), 2008 Himeji Castle is illuminated for almost 2 weeks in November and its renowned scenery is made all the more noteworthy as the autumnal leaves in the area are also lit up. Performances of Japanese drums add to the atmosphere and provide memories for all. http://www.ryokka.jibasan.or.jp/kokoen/index_en.html

Wakakusayama in Autumn - Mount Wakakusa, Nara City, Nara Prefecture - September 13th (Sat)-November 24th (Mon/holiday), 2008 Mount Wakakusa is a gently sloping rise covered with grass. It commands fine views of the Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha) Hall of Todai-ji Temple and Nara Park, and on clear days even of the famous Three Mountains of Yamato and Mount Ikoma in the distance. The beautiful night view from the top was selected as one of the "three new most excellent night views" in Japan by a public group in April 2003. http://www.pref.nara.jp/nara_e/

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